LOS ANGELES — The UCLA men’s basketball team is in its final week of an eight-week summer practice period. With the regular season still two months out, the Bruins are acclimating their newcomers to their returners and building on the foundation they laid last season when they returned to the NCAA Tournament.

The Bruins finished 23-11 during the 2024-25 season and lost to Tennessee in the Round of 32. It was a positive season, but UCLA men’s basketball is judged by banners. Nothing else.

Head coach Mick Cronin, heading into his seventh season in Westwood, embraces that scrutiny. He built his team with nothing but that goal in mind. There was a clear theme when it came to the lessons he learned and the improvements he made for this season.

“We’re older and smarter,” Cronin said following

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